Wildfires Cause Widespread Destruction In Los AngelesSince early January 2025, multiple large wildfires have erupted in and around Los Angeles (LA), California, tearing through dry vegetation and destroying entire neighborhoods. As of January 15, 2025, more than 12,000 homes, businesses, schools, and other structures have been destroyed. At least 25 people have died, and more than 100,000 have been forced to flee their homes. Many of these fires are still uncontained. Here is what we know so far....
اقرأ المقالHonoring The Legacy Of Martin Luther King Jr.Martin Luther King Jr. Day, observed annually on the third Monday of January, honors the life and legacy of the American civil rights leader. The federal holiday, which falls on January 20 this year, is designated as a national day of service. It encourages Americans to volunteer and help improve their communities....
اقرأ المقالFrom Orphans To Soulmates — The Heartwarming Tale Of Two Amur TigersBoris and Svetlaya, a pair of rescued Amur tigers in Siberia, Russia, have reunited as mates after being separated for more than a year and over 100 miles. Their heartwarming love story began in 2014 when they were just cubs, brought together by fate....
اقرأ المقالFrom The White House To Global Peace — The Lasting Legacy Of Jimmy CarterJimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, died peacefully at his home in Plains, Georgia, on December 29, 2024. The former American leader, who turned 100 on October 1, 2024, was the longest-living president in US history. Mr. Carter will be laid to rest at the family's residence on January 9, 2025. He will be buried alongside his wife, Rosalynn, who died in 2023 at age 96. In his honor, President Joe Biden has declared January 9 a federal holiday....
اقرأ المقالMillions Of Bats Gather In Largest Mammal Migration On EarthKasanka National Park in Zambia, Africa, is home to an unlikely natural phenomenon — the world’s largest mammal migration. Each year, from October to December, millions of straw-colored fruit bats from across Africa converge on this evergreen swamp forest. These nocturnal mammals spend their nights feasting on wild fruits in the surrounding farmlands and their days resting in the forest. This cycle continues daily until January when the bats disperse and return to their respective habitats across the continent....
اقرأ المقالUnique Christmas Traditions From Around The WorldFor many in the United States, Christmas is a time for baking and decorating cookies, finding the perfect gifts for loved ones, and rewatching beloved classics like Elf and Home Alone. However, Christmas traditions vary greatly from country to country. Here are some unique and fascinating holiday customs from around the world....
اقرأ المقالStudent-Built Rocket Breaks 20-Year-Old Amateur Space Altitude RecordA rocket built by students at the University of Southern California (USC) Rocket Propulsion Lab (RPL) has shattered a 20-year record. Aftershock II, launched from Nevada's Black Rock Desert on October 20, 2024, reached an altitude of 470,000 feet (143.3 km). This was 90,000 feet (27.4 km) higher than the previous amateur rocket altitude record of 380,000 feet (115.8 km). It was set by the Civilian Space eXploration Team’s GoFast rocket in 2004....
اقرأ المقالHanukkah Will Start On Christmas Day For The First Time Since 2005Hanukkah, one of the most widely observed Jewish holidays, is a joyous eight-day winter festival. It begins on the 25th day of Kislev, the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar. This usually falls between late November and late December. In 2024, Hanukkah celebrations will start at sundown on December 25, coinciding with Christmas Day, and conclude on January 2, 2025. This overlap of the two holidays last occurred in 2005 and will not happen again until 2035....
اقرأ المقالAmerican Ultrarunner Tara Dower Shatters Appalachian Trail Speed RecordOn September 21, 2024, Tara Dower set a new speed record on the Appalachian Trail (AT) in the Eastern United States. The 31-year-old American ultrarunner completed the 2,189-mile (3,522 km) trail, which runs from Georgia to Maine, in an incredible 40 days, 18 hours, and 5 minutes. Before Dower’s trek, the record was held by Karel Sabbe. It took the Belgian runner 41 days, 7 hours, and 38 minutes, or about 13 hours more, to finish the trail in 2018....
اقرأ المقالEmperor Penguin Spotted On Western Australian Shores For The First TimeOn November 1, 2024, Aron Fowler and his friends were at Ocean Beach, just south of Denmark in Western Australia, when they saw an emperor penguin walking toward them. This aquatic flightless bird had swum over 2,000 miles (3,218 km) from its usual habitat in the icy waters off the Antarctic coast. It was the first recorded sighting of an emperor penguin in Australia....
اقرأ المقالNovember Honors Native American Heritage And ContributionsNovember is Native American Heritage Month in the United States. It honors the rich cultures, traditions, histories, and contributions of Native American and Alaska Native communities. Here are three inspiring Indigenous leaders who have made meaningful impacts in their respective fields and communities....
اقرأ المقالNorthern Sea Robins Use Their Legs To Walk And "Taste" The Ocean Floor For Buried PreyThe sea robin is a bottom-dwelling fish uniquely adapted to life on the ocean floor. These fascinating creatures have frog-like eyes, wing-like fins, and six crab-like legs. Scientists have now discovered that at least one species, the northern sea robin, uses these legs both for walking and for "tasting" the sea floor for buried prey....
اقرأ المقالCan Life Exist On An Icy Moon? NASA's Latest Mission Aims To Find Out!NASA’s latest mission takes the search for life to new frontiers — this time to Jupiter’s fourth largest moon, Europa. On October 14, 2024, the Europa Clipper spacecraft launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to uncover the secrets of this distant moon....
اقرأ المقالFrom Playing Cards To Pixels: Nintendo Museum Celebrates 135 Years Of HistoryNintendo has come a long way from its humble start as a playing card company in 1889. Today, the Japanese company is a global gaming powerhouse known for iconic franchises like Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Pokémon. Now, with the opening of the Nintendo Museum in Kyoto, Japan, gaming fans can explore the company’s rich history....
اقرأ المقالUnderstanding The Importance Of Veterans DayVeterans Day, celebrated annually on November 11, honors the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces. This US federal holiday pays tribute to everyone who has served in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, National Guard, Air Force, and Coast Guard....
اقرأ المقالScientists Finally Know Why The Earth Shook For Nine Days In 2023In mid-September 2023, a mysterious event set off earthquake sensors worldwide. However, unlike typical earthquake readings, which are quick and sharp, this data showed a slow, constant wave. What surprised scientists even more was that the rumbling continued for nine consecutive days before finally subsiding....
اقرأ المقالGet Ready To "Fall Back!" Daylight Saving Time Ends On November 3On November 3, 2024, most US residents will add 60 minutes to their weekend by turning their clocks back an hour. This simple action marks the end of Daylight Saving Time (DST), which began on March 10, 2024. It helps shift sunlight back into the morning hours during the darker winter days....
اقرأ المقالOctopuses Lead Hunting Parties And "Punch" Non-HelpersOctopuses are among the smartest marine animals. These intelligent cephalopods are known for using coconut shells as mobile homes and armor and changing colors on demand to evade predators. A new study by researchers at Germany's Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior found that octopuses can also be strong leaders. They take charge of hunting packs and even discipline those who try to cheat....
اقرأ المقالExploring Halloween's Fun TraditionsFew countries celebrate Halloween with as much enthusiasm as the United States. Americans spend months — and millions of dollars — searching for the perfect costumes. Homes and yards are transformed into spooky spectacles, complete with skeletons and glowing jack-o'-lanterns. Here is a brief history of the spooky holiday, celebrated annually on October 31, and the origin of some of its cherished customs....
اقرأ المقالSaturn's Rings Will Briefly "Vanish" In 2025Planetary rings are a natural feature of the larger outer planets like Jupiter and Neptune, but none are as spectacular as Saturn's. However, in March and November 2025, these majestic rings will not be visible to observers on Earth. Fortunately, this rare event is only an optical illusion. It is caused by the orientation of Saturn's thin rings and the planet's tilt relative to Earth. The last time this occurred was in 2009....
اقرأ المقالCelebrating Diwali, The Indian Festival Of LightsEvery fall, over a billion Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains worldwide celebrate Diwali. Also known as Deepavali or the festival of lights, this ancient celebration dates back over 2,500 years. The exact date varies annually based on the Hindu lunar calendar. However, Diwali usually falls in October or November....
اقرأ المقالSneaky Orb-Weaver Spiders Use Male Fireflies To Lure More PreyIn the wild, animals frequently use deceptive tactics to survive. For instance, some wasps turn spiders into "zombie" slaves to build intricate nests. Similarly, mouse-eared bats mimic hornet buzzes to avoid being preyed upon by owls. Now, a new study reveals that a crafty orb-weaver spider species has found a way to manipulate the mating signals of male fireflies to catch more prey....
اقرأ المقالTennis Legend Rafael Nadal Announces His RetirementOn October 10, 2024, Rafael Nadal announced he will retire from professional tennis at the end of the 2024 season. The 38-year-old Spanish player will conclude his storied career with a final appearance at the Davis Cup. The prestigious tournament is set to take place in Nadal's home country, Spain, from November 19 to 24....
اقرأ المقالRunaway Goat Steals The Show At Canadian MarathonThe inaugural T'Railway Trek half marathon in the Canadian town of Conception Bay South on September 29, 2024, had an unexpected star: a pet goat named Joshua. The four-legged competitor stole the spotlight after he suddenly began trotting alongside the runners. By the finish line, Joshua had earned not just a medal but also the hearts of the entire town and fans worldwide....
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